NHL

Bruins get top goalie re-signed

BOSTON - The Bruins re-signed goaltender Andrew Raycroft, who ended a brief holdout by agreeing to terms on a one-year contract Friday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Raycroft, 25, was the rookie of the year in 2003-04 with a 2.05 goals-against average, sixth best in the league. During the lockout, he played 11 games with Tappara Tampere in Finland and went 4-5-2 with a 2.92 GAA and one shutout.

The announcement comes two days after the Bruins signed Tim Thomas, an eight-year minor-league veteran in the United States and Europe who was in the Boston organization from 2002-04.

BLUES: Left wing Keith Tkachuk failed a physical and was suspended by the team. General manager Larry Pleau did not give details but said Tkachuk, who had 33 goals and 38 assists in 2003-04, is expected to return to the team.CANADIENS: Youppi, the Expos' furry, orange mascot before the team moved to Washington, will change sports.

COYOTES: New coach Wayne Gretzky watched the preseason opener against the Wild from his suite, "just to see the team from above, that's all." He will do the same Tuesday with assistants Barry Smith and Rick Tocchet running the team.

SHOOTOUT, CRACKDOWN DEBUT: Ryan Smyth's goal gave host Edmonton a 2-1 victory over Calgary in the preseason openers for both. Tied at 1 after regulation, neither team scored in the five-minute overtime. And after each's first three shooters failed, Smyth tucked a backhander past Brent Krahn for the winner. The league's crackdown on obstruction was evident as the team's combined for 22 penalties.

Carolina and Washington gave fans a taste of a shootout after host Carolina's 6-0 game victory. Carolina won the practice shootout 2-1. The game included 19 penalties, 15 on the Capitals. The Hurricanes score four power-play goals and one short-handed.